Create an Oaktree account

Sign in with Facebook or Twitter

Building the window

Ghian Tjandaputra,2014-03-24 16:12:00 +1100

We all have our own roles to play, and it is only when we fulfil our respective roles will we be able to achieve our collective goal. In any endeavour, we must recognise our capabilities, but more importantly, we must also recognise our limitations. When we understand exactly what we can and what we can’t do, we will be able to direct our effort effectively to produce tangible results that will bring us closer to achieving our main goal.

The effort to end extreme poverty is like building a house. We, the youth, must not be discouraged if we are unable to complete the house on our own. We are not meant to. At the very core, it is the role of governments and intergovernmental institutions to build a solid foundation of the effort to end extreme poverty. They build and manage the system. Our effort will ultimately prove futile if the foundation is weak. We will not go far if the system undoes the good work being done to build the house. What we can do is ensure that the foundation is solid. And we have an excellent opportunity to do just that this year.

Australia will host this year’s G-20 summit, a gathering of the largest economies in the world. It has been dubbed as the most significant meeting of world leaders Australia will have hosted. It is our best opportunity to help improve the foundation. Oaktree can play a significant role in this effort. We must mobilise young Australians to ensure the system does not betray those are most vulnerable. We must give our best to make sure no effort to end extreme poverty will go to waste. This is a role that we share with everyone.

Our main role is to build the window. The youth must ensure that the world will always look outwards and forward in the effort to end extreme poverty. This is why young people are crucial in the effort. We are needed not because we can play a role in the future; we are needed not because we will ultimately lead the effort in building the house when we govern. We are needed because we can help build the house now. A windowless house is naturally dark. More than anything else, the best way for young people to contribute is to do what they do best: to illuminate. In this day and age, the world could use a little light.

What people are saying...

Optional email code

▾

2014-06-04 21:12:23 +1000 from Sally

Fantastic. The youth have the power it is up to us to use it and we must use it now. I could not agree more with what you have said. I don’t think enough young people realise the problems of this world and realise if we don’t act now they will be much bigger problems in our future. Let’s start building that window and let the light in!!!!

2014-02-27 00:28:33 +1100 from Justin

Good message. I hope we can all create enough movement through contacting MP’s and government departments in order to have our voices heard. It’s great to hear your passion for change and equality and to know young people care and can unite.

2014-02-19 14:51:17 +1100 from sarah

Wow that is an excellent article, I actually read it out loud- practising my public speaking :-) !

About Oaktree

Oaktree is young people leading a movement to end poverty. For us, change starts with a simple belief - that extreme poverty is unacceptable. Beliefs turn into action, and enough informed action will end extreme poverty in our lifetime. Oaktree is one of Australia's largest youth-run organisation with over 150,000 supporters. Join us.